senator looking now and your book, fundamentals of american government, the united states senate, how do you think it's working or not working today? >> you know, it's working in some degree beyond what most people would fully appreciate. if you look at what happened in the 11th congress, bill, they accomplished a good deal. healthcare reform, dodd frank don't ask don't tell, treaties on trade. just an amazing array and yet the perception is nothing gets done. this last couple of years unfortunately have been a lot more contentious a lot more polarized, a lot more confrontational. just a tremendous number of cloture votes so there are times when you can look at what they've done and be somewhat pleased and satisfied and other times when you know a lot more could be done and we have to strive to do more. >> bill: right. >> well, do you think that the senate -- i want to jump into this, the filibuster rule which is the current news right now. do you predict it will be changed and how will it go through the senate? >> bill: and should it be changed? >> could it and should it? >> harry an